Kansas Soybean Commission elects new chairman, initiates next RFP cycle
Topeka, Kan. – The Kansas Soybean Commission ended its August 14 Annual Meeting with a new team of officers.
The board elected Keith Miller, Great Bend, to lead as Chairman. Miller represents KSC’s District 5 in central Kansas. He grows soybeans, wheat, corn, grain sorghum and alfalfa hay. Prior to his KSC election in 2020, Miller spent many years involved in KFB and the U.S. Meat Export Federation, including a year as USMEF chairman. He became the KSC Vice Chair in 2022.
The Chairman supervises and maintains control of all business pertinent to the Commission’s work.
“I’m excited to lead the Commission so it can make a difference in agriculture,” Miller says of his new role. “I want to make sure that the decisions we make enhance agriculture for the future. That enhancement needs to happen to keep up with new ideas in the industry.”
Raylen Phelon, Melvern, moved into the Vice Chairman role from his previous role as Treasurer. Phelon grows soybeans, corn, wheat, hay and raises cattle with his son, Adam, and wife, Karen. Phelon has long been a leader in the soybean industry. He first joined the Kansas Soybean Association board of directors as the Young Leader in 2004 and served as KSA president from 2015 to 2016. Following that service, Phelon became a Commissioner in 2018 as an at-large representative.
The Vice Chairman acts in the absence of the Chairperson.
Gary Robbins, Emmett, retained his leadership position as Secretary. Robbins farms near Havensville with his wife, Kim, and son, Tanner, growing soybeans, corn, wheat, hay and raising background steers. Robbins moved into his Commissioner role representing District 7 in 2020 following 18 years on the Kansas Soybean Association board.
The secretary is tasked with maintaining corporate records and minutes from meetings.
Bob Haselwood, Berryton, stepped into the role of Treasurer. Haselwood recently transitioned his farming operation of soybeans, corn and wheat to his nephew, Ryan, but continues to take part in the operation. Since joining KSC in 2005, Haselwood has maintained numerous leadership positions for the state and national soybean checkoff boards. He represents soybean growers in the eighth KSC district.
The treasurer manages the receipt, deposit, disbursement and investment of soybean checkoff funds.
Each of these positions serve on the Commission’s Executive Committee, which is tasked with maintaining routine operations of KSC business and, in certain cases, may authorize expenditures within individual program levels as approved by the Commission. Officer terms on the Commission encompass one calendar year.
Additional Annual Meeting business included a visit and organizational update from the Kansas FFA State Officer team, program news from the Kansas Soil Health Alliance, updates from adjacent agricultural organizations and financial discussion. Notably, Commissioners initiated discussion on funding priorities ahead of the fiscal year 2026 request for proposals process.
“We outline what we want to fund so researchers have direction and can give us projects to meet the needs of soybean growers,” Miller says. “One of the main issues we discussed was water. It should be a major issue to combat across the state. Commissioners work to ensure the decisions we make are advantageous to all producers in the state.”
The board scheduled the next KSC meeting for December 5-7 in Topeka. The meeting business is set to review funding proposals and make fiscal year 2026 funding decisions.
Further information on soybean checkoff activities may be found on the www.kansassoybeans.org website or by contacting the Kansas Soybean office.